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The first American American woman to serve in the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate has died at the age of 77. Senator Yvonne Miller was a democrat from Norfolk and today she would have celebrated her 78th birthday.

Governor Bob McDonnell called Senator Miller ” a  history-maker and a trail blazer.” He added that he and Virginia First Lady Maureen McDonnell “are deeply sadden to learn of the news.” Senator Miller had been ill for quiet some time from cancer.

Yvonne Miller was elected to the Senate in 1988 and previously served a four year term in the House of Delegates. U.S. Congressman Bobby Scott served in the state legislature with Miller before his first term in Congress. Scott said Miller was the longest-serving woman in the Virginia Senate, where she ranked third in overall seniority, and was the first woman ever to chair a Senate Committee.

State Senator Mamie E. Locke of Hampton who chaired the Legislative Black Caucus, said the caucus ‘has lost a stalwart and a giant.” Locke added that the state “has lost a great Virginian, a great legislator and a great humanitarian.”

Miller spent much of her career, time  and service devoted to Virginia’s children and youth. She began a long-span in educating children in the  then-segregated Norfolk Public School System. Miller later joined the staff of Norfolk State University as professor and then head of the Department of Early Childhood/Elementary Education. Her legislative platform largely reflected on better healthcare for youth, education dollars and gang prevention programs.

Senator Locke shared Miller’s statement during the 2012 Legislative session in Virginia’s General Assembly:

“The downturn in the economy has caused many Virginians to suffer the pains of homelessness, hunger and unemployment,” Miller said. ” This is the time that they need legislators to increase expenditures in human services, education and health.

Miller was a recipient of the 2012 Virginia Trailblazers Award. Miller said during her acceptance speech that “more women our needed in the Virginia legislature. Run for office now!”

 Rest in peace Senator Yvonne Miller, a soldier in human rights for tomorrow’s future today. What an honor to be pictured with Senator Miller.